The Mission of Poubalov — page 47: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE AGENT OF THE CZAR. 43 formed conclusions. Now she saw to just what end her arguments were bringing her, and she almost shrank from it. Summoning her utmost resolution she looked straight at the sombre face of the Russian and added: ‘‘T have no knowledge of Ivan’s enemies, Mr. Poubalov; isn’t it possible that you can give some information on that phase of the case?”’ ‘*Yes, it is,’’ replied Poubalov, without hesitation. Then he paused a moment before he continued: ‘‘Were not the case so serious and for you so distressing, [ should feel that I must compliment you on your unusual faculty for analyzing a situation. Far from taking offense at your continued suspicion of me, I am really pleased.’’ ‘“‘T have not said that I suspected you.”’ ‘*You did not need to, Miss Hilman. Your reason tells you that Mr. Strobel was happy and confident of the fu- ture until suddenly one Poubalov appears before him like the avner of past misfortunes and as a prophet of new ones.’ “T assure you,’’ interrupted Clara again, ‘‘that I did not know that you were not an intimate nee of Mr. Stro- bel’s; I spoke simply of natural inferences.’ ‘“‘“My dear young lady,’’ said the SuEwen, “vou were helpless in the hands of your own reason.’ Clara was silent. She felt instinctively that her analysis was torrect aud that she was facing, if not one of Ivan’s enemies, at the least a man who represented all that might be hostile to him; and when she had endeavored to withdraw some of the force of her reasoning, he himself had held her to her conclusons and clinched them. ‘It was my intention,’’ continued Poubalov, ‘‘to learn from Mrs. White who you were, that I might solicit the privilege of calling upon you and laying before you what is in my knowledge concerning Mr. Strobel, for I fear that I may——’’ He stopped abruptly and looked from one to another of the wondering ladies. ‘Go on, please,’’ exclaimed Clara, now sticcul 290"